The effect of aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin on some hematological parameters and liver enzymes in 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine- induced anemic rats

Anemia constitutes a serious health problem in many tropical countries including Nigeria because of the prevalence of malaria and other parasitic infections which possibly leads to decrease of hemoglobin. Fluted pumpkin has been reported to be very good in building the constituents of the blood and also replacing them. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin on some hematological parameters and liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-induced anemia in experimental rat. Twelve Wister albino male rats were obtained from a nearby farm and separated into four groups of three rats each for the study. Rats in Groups 1 and 2 were injected 40 mg/kg 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine for eight days to induce anemia, while rats in Groups 3 and 4 were fed with grower’s mash and water ad libitum. All analysis was done using the standard methods. The result of this study shows that, oral administration of 50 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin to the rats in induced treated and normal treated groups (Groups 1 and 3), increased the hematological parameters under investigation while the rest remained significantly unchanged. Low level of ALT and AST was observed in rats in group 1 (induced treated group) suggesting a hepatoprotective property of the leaf extract which also indicate that the extract had no effect on the liver of the rats at the concentration used. The result of this research indicate that 50 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin could elevate the packed cell volume, red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration in the rats induced with 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Hence, oral administration of the extract could cure hemolytic anemia. The leaf extract also regulated the liver enzymes (ALT and AST) of the rats induced with 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. It can be concluded that aqueous leaf extract of fluted pumpkin is a potential blood booster and has hepatoprotective property.   Key words: Fluted pumpkin, hematological parameters, liver enzymes, 2, dinitrophenylhydrazine, anemia.